Blog

The turning of a calendar year marks a natural point for reflection. What is Ebb n' Flow Yoga taking into the new year? What ought we leave behind in 2017? How can we continuously foster a space where "a place to breathe and be" is experienced, all the time and in all ways?

On ClosingIn 2017, Kim and I had countless conversations to find "the yoga" in little and big business decisions. At times, nourishing the divine within all things seemed impossible, contradictory, and unclear at best. How can we best honor the light within our valued members while running a viable yoga studio business? Practically, what does that look for business operations such as pricing and polices? How is yoga calling us to approach marketing differently? Can Ebb n' Flow Yoga broaden our online visibility without ego? And how does honoring the light, love, truth, beauty, and peace within everyone guide our everyday interactions?

I hope these questions always guide this studio's operations so we practice yoga to the fullest. And for 2018, I would like to close this idea that yoga and business cannot be one of the same. I think we're well begun on living a different kind of business model.

On KeepingOur mission is to be a place where everyone can be and celebrate their full, wholehearted selves with presence and in community.​ To that end, Ebb n' Flow Yoga is committed to intentionally nourishing the good already present in this studio. From the "Ebb n' Flow Yoga is _____" fun, I have been so incredibly touched by all your responses. THANK YOU. And if you have a word or phrase to complete this sentence, let a team member know to get your photo taken and posted!

On CultivatingI'm so pumped to build on what we are and evolve to new horizons. Here are a couple ways I think we can all be a part of this continued growth:

Being simply and beautifully YOU. To me, this means finding space - a practice, an asana, a breath - where I honor the multitude of ways I am congruent as I am polarities, conscious as I am blind. It means viewing myself, others, and all things with curiosity, widening my capacity for love and grace. To this end, Ebb n' Flow Yoga works so that our schedule serves as an inroad to that experience of your beautiful wholeness.

Playing with your yoga boundaries. The wisdom of our instructors have taken my practice to a whole new level of self-awareness. For 2018, I look forward to growing my yoga practice on multiple dimensions. What about you? What does that look like for you? This could be signing up for a workshop. This could mean joining our teacher training in May. This could also mean receiving yoga therapy from Theresa.

Practicing among friends. This call to action represents a spectrum of compassionate possibilities. It could mean referring someone in your network to join. After all, YOU are our best (and definitely our favorite!) way to grow this yogi tribe. It could mean greeting and befriending someone new. It could mean deepening conversations over tea. Whatever the form or shape, I look forward to everyone cultivating friendship and community in the coming year.

Ebb n' Flow Yoga outside our studio walls. Last year, we took a field trip to Amherst and Northampton, extending our sense of community outside the brick and mortar construct of Ebb n' Flow Yoga. This year, we're building on that with additional fun ideas in the works! And just as yoga guides Kim and my conversations on the studio operations, I invite us all to think: where is the yoga in this situation? How can that post-practice bliss be an every moment feeling?

To this cultivation, I'm tremendously grateful to the Ebb n' Flow Yoga team, redefining an authentic practice of yoga. Through each instructor's sharing, I see strengths and beauty unique to that individual. And I look forward to their guidance towards our individual (and collective) cultivation of yoga and wellness.

I'm also beyond appreciative for the team of volunteers who quietly, accountably, and creatively support the studio. They are the studio's hands, feet, and generous hearts.

Most importantly, I come around to the same sentiment Kim expressed in the 2017 Best Nine blog: deep gratitude for YOU. I'm truly excited for your being, light, and practice to thrive with grace and wholeness this 2018. To all of you and everyone who makes our studio values of love, authenticity, and community a reality:I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides.

You have made a “Joy-Full noise” and have shared the flow of positive energy and warmth from our yoga studio. This is a place where spirits can soar and hearts can sing as we practice in comfortable surroundings with the kindest of souls... Thank you for being so welcoming!